1st Sunday of Lent

Life Questions: What restores your spirit?  What tempts you to believe you are not good enough the way you are?  Tell about a place that has the power to restore you.  When do you go there?
Gospel Questions: What tests your faith in God?  How does Jesus see himself?  What does Jesus mean that people do not live on bread alone?  What do we need to live?  What words of God do you trust?

Lenten Carbon Fast - 1st Sunday of Lent

Remember you baptism today, and the power of water.  Try to conserve: Leave a bucket in the shower or kitchen sink, and collect "grey water" to water the plants.  Have a lawn or flower beds/pots?  Consider a rain barrel so you can water them with rain.

(Compiled from Lenten resurces by: Tearfund, Nat'l Council of Churches' Eco-Justice Programs, Prince of Peace Luterhan Church, Saint Mark Presbyterian Church, Rock Springs Congregational UCC, IA IPL, NC IPL, and from Green America and The Catholic Coalition on Climate Change)

Lenten Carbon Fast

Check windows and doors for drafts with a ribbon or feather.  If it flutters, make or buy a draft dodger, or seal leaks with caulk and weatherstripping.

(Compiled from Lenten resurces by: Tearfund, Nat'l Council of Churches' Eco-Justice Programs, Prince of Peace Luterhan Church, Saint Mark Presbyterian Church, Rock Springs Congregational UCC, IA IPL, NC IPL, and from Green America and The Catholic Coalition on Climate Change)

Lenten Carbon Fast

Go meat-free today (as Catholics we are asked to abstain from meat on all the Fridays of Lent).  Christians have been eating less meat during Lent for generations.  Choosing meat-free meals is one of the most powerful things you can do to reduce your carbon footpring (VegDC.com)

(Compiled from Lenten resurces by: Tearfund, Nat'l Council of Churches' Eco-Justice Programs, Prince of Peace Luterhan Church, Saint Mark Presbyterian Church, Rock Springs Congregational UCC, IA IPL, NC IPL, and from Green America and The Catholic Coalition on Climate Change)

Lenten Carbon Fast

Turn down your thermostat by at least on degree.  Aim for 68 degrees durign the day and 60 degrees at night.  Program your thermostat if you can.  Always turn the heat down when you leave home.

(Compiled from Lenten resurces by: Tearfund, Nat'l Council of Churches' Eco-Justice Programs, Prince of Peace Luterhan Church, Saint Mark Presbyterian Church, Rock Springs Congregational UCC, IA IPL, NC IPL, and from Green America and The Catholic Coalition on Climate Change)

Ash Wednesday

Religious Education Classes are not scheduled for this evening, February 17,  so families are able to attend Mass together at 6:30 PM, for Ash Wednesday.  High School Youth Ministry begins with Mass at 6:30 and then will meet in the Loft after Mass.

Lenten Carbon Fast 2010

The Environmental Outreach Committee of the Archdiocese of Washington with help from Greater Washington Interfaith Power and Light and adapting resources from Tearfund and others has developed a Lenten calendar.  Beginning today and throughout Lent I will be adding ways to this blog that you can "fast" to help the environment this Lent.  The following is a quote from Pope Benedict's Encyclical Caritas in Veitate: "The environment is God's gift to everyone, and in our use of it we have a responsiblity towards the poor, towards, future generations and towards humanity as a whole."  As Catholic Christians we have a responsiblity to be wise stewards of God's Creation and each of us must decide how we can improve our stewardship to safeguard God's Creations now and for future generations. 
February 17 2010 - Ash Wednesday  "So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumplet before you...so that your alms may be done in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you."  Mt 6:2-4 Ash Wednesday remindes us to be faithful in action even when no one is paying attention.  If we are living in Harmony with the rest of God's Creation, especially when no one is looking our households, our churches and our society will also be transformed.  Remove one light bulb from your home today and live without its light for the next 40 days.  This will decrease your energy use, and act as a reminder of your Lenten Carbon Fast.

(Compiled from Lenten resurces by: Tearfund, Nat'l Council of Churches' Eco-Justice Programs, Prince of Peace Luterhan Church, Saint Mark Presbyterian Church, Rock Springs Congregational UCC, IA IPL, NC IPL, and from Green America and The Catholic Coalition on Climate Change)